prototype look-up operator (::)

ID:1894788
 
Jul 12 2015, 3:17 pm
Applies to:DM Language
Status: Open
Issue hasn't been assigned a status value.
This is in the vein of initial(), but would allow you to do a prototype look-up instead.

for instance:

/obj/item/sword::damage


Would tell you what the initial compile-time value for damage for the type /obj/item/sword is.

var/type/t = pick(/obj/item/sword,/obj/item/axe,/obj/item/shield)
var/obj/item/o = new t()
o::damage


Would tell you what the initial compile-time value for damage for the type of the object reference.

If the notation is too confusing (I know it's the namespace path operator in C++), just adding an argument for initial() that would allow you to pass an object or type would be good.
Jul 12 2015, 3:52 pm
As a workaround, this is always mentioned when this feature is brought up:
var obj/item/o = /obj/item
world << initial(o.damage)
Jul 12 2015, 4:00 pm
How in the world does that even work?
Jul 12 2015, 5:01 pm
It's one of those little tricks that snuck into the language early on, I'm not even sure you have to set the variable to anything if you use : instead of .
Jul 12 2015, 5:08 pm
This should be in the documentation for initial()
Jul 13 2015, 1:27 pm
In response to Ter13
Ter13 wrote:
This should be in the documentation for initial()

I agree, I had no idea you could check the compile time value of a variable without actually creating a new instance of said type.
Jul 13 2015, 1:35 pm
I'm gonna post a new thread with a standing invitation for anyone who's so inclined to make improvements to the docs, including adding small inline images. I think there are a lot of users who could add some intelligent text and/or brief examples that would help a lot.
Jul 13 2015, 1:39 pm
SSX, Kaiochao, DarkCamaigner, Nadrew and Stephen are probably some of the best people for improving the reference. They know more about the quirks of the language than almost everyone else.
Jul 13 2015, 1:47 pm
I'll just leave this here -- http://ncomproductions.com/bwiki

Make your own documentation :)
Jul 13 2015, 1:57 pm
Here we are: id:1895493
Jul 13 2015, 3:12 pm
In response to Nadrew
Nadrew wrote:
I'll just leave this here -- http://ncomproductions.com/bwiki

Make your own documentation :)

Smart. I like.